September 18, 2019
King puts Ihumātao back in Government court
The Māori king says the people of Ihumātao want their land back.
In a statement released this morning, King Tuheitia says he has successfully guided the mana whenua of lhumātao to reach a consensus on the future of the whenua, where development of a special housing area was blocked by the Save Our Unique Landscape group.
A spokesperson for the king, Rahui Papa, says since the king visited the land on August the Kiingitanga has provided the time and space for parties to talk freely and without duress.
Mana whenua now agree they want their land returned so they can make decisions about its future.
He says because the return of the land is outside of the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process there needs to be an innovative and modern solution that does not financially disadvantage iwi.
Kiingitanga has conveyed the views of mana whenua to the government and urged it to negotiate with Fletchers for the return of Ihumātao to its rightful owners.
Acting Prime Minister Winston Peters thanked King Tuheitia for his work and said the government is now happy to join the discussions on the future of the land, being mindful of heritage claims, precedent issues and the commercial interests in the site.
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